Now the argument is about to be settled, with the result of a popular vote to decide the nation’s “Favourite Ever British Animated Character”.

The prize will be handed out for the first time at this week’s British Animation Awards, a biennial event for the industry.

With only days to go, a count of votes cast so far on the award organisers’ webpage suggests the battle for the top spot is being fought between two bears: Paddington, currently in the lead, and SuperTed, the 1980s cartoon teddy, in second.

In third place is a meerkat: Aleksandr Orlov, who with his 'Simples’ catchphrase became an unlikely hit after first appearing in advertisements in 2009.

From a 22-strong shortlist, others in the current top 10 are Bagpuss, the old fat furry cat of the 1970s; Tiny Clanger, another 1970s favourite; Danger Mouse, from the 1980s; Wallace and Gromit, who first appeared in 1989; Morph, the Plasticine man from the 1970s; Postman Pat, first on TV in 1981; and Charlie and Lola, first screened in 2005.

Bond’s books were turned into a series of simple five-minute animations, voiced by the actor Sir Michael Hordern, which could attract audiences of more than 6 million following their launch in 1975.

Bond, who lives in Maida Vale, near Paddington station, said: “I still get letters from children all over the world, including from Peru where Paddington was born.

When children watch or read Paddington, one half of them is thinking: 'Don’t do it Paddington!’ The other half is saying: 'Do it, so I can see how you get out of trouble.’ They also tell me they wish they could have a hard stare like Paddington’s, because it would be very useful.

“He’s very much part of my life and very real to me.”

Jayne Pilling, the director of the British Animation Awards, said there had been heated discussion since the shortlist was announced, following nominations from about 100 animation industry figures.

“You get grown-ups talking about it really seriously, one arguing for Roobarb & Custard and someone else for Count Duckula.”

She added: “We want to celebrate these characters and the very British imagination that created them. They draw you in somehow. You know the characters aren’t real, but part of you feels they are.”